Voltage fluctuating
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
Voltage fluctuating
I have notice that the battery voltage reading in my vette has been fluctuating between 13.5 to 14.1. I always thought it stayed at 14.3. if everything is working right. When I stop at a stop sign or just idling it drops to 13.5 to 13.9 and when I drive off it goes back to 14.1 or 14.2. Could my alternator be on blink or the belt is slipping or to loose.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
The battery is a year old and I have a small charger connected to the battery when it is not being driven. The charger indicated that the battery is charged. About a week ago I left my portable Nav plugged in and it killed the battery. I had the battery charged up and the car was started fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Voltage fluctuation - potential causes
For a different perspective on voltage fluctuations, refer to this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-system-3.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-system-3.html
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
That's normal. Remember that for decades, we had a voltage gauge that could only show a difference of 2 volts or so. A digital readout now allows us to see these very small variations, but it doesn't make them any more important. The system voltage fluctuates based on all kinds of factors in the car. Normal.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
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I relocated the power wire long ago, then, did the Big Four, but choose piggy back both ground/power even with the additional 1/0 power/ground wire.
At ignition start, gauge reads 14.8.
Heavy Oahu traffic, with more stop than go idle, steady 14.1.
Soon as the car moves off idle, goes up to 14.6.
Cruising at 60, steady @ 14.6
Same OEM plugs since '05, only time R/R was when I need to take them out while working on the valve train. Mileage just went over 29K.
At ignition start, gauge reads 14.8.
Heavy Oahu traffic, with more stop than go idle, steady 14.1.
Soon as the car moves off idle, goes up to 14.6.
Cruising at 60, steady @ 14.6
Same OEM plugs since '05, only time R/R was when I need to take them out while working on the valve train. Mileage just went over 29K.
Last edited by victorf; Apr 27, 2014 at 02:09 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I have notice that the battery voltage reading in my vette has been fluctuating between 13.5 to 14.1. I always thought it stayed at 14.3. if everything is working right. When I stop at a stop sign or just idling it drops to 13.5 to 13.9 and when I drive off it goes back to 14.1 or 14.2. Could my alternator be on blink or the belt is slipping or to loose.